Dynasty 83 Records Update

My Last Post was about 8 months ago so an update is long overdue.

     I am currently working with Dynasty 83 Record’s Sinister AKA Dope Boy Magic on his upcoming mixtape “The Barfather”. The Project is about 75% complete and we expect to release the mixtape early next year. For those who enjoyed Sinister’s previous work you will be excited about this new project. It’s the first time we are working together and the chemistry is right, the blue print is refreshing and the foundation of this project revolves around creative freedom with no rules. I am really excited about this one so stay tuned.

      Now let’s talk about “N”. It’s been a decade and I haven’t released anything with exception to a few tracks here and there on a mixtape level. I literally have over a thousand instrumentals and close to 100 songs written. So why haven’t I released anything? What am I waiting for? Where are my albums? Well… there are several reasons but the main one is “a good artists knows when to stop” and I haven’t mastered that yet. I keep tweaking tracks and I never feel like they are ready even though everyone in my circle thinks I am crazy for not pushing my music out.  Well, things are about to change. I always said I am going to drop an album and I will, not because I feel obligated to but because I want to give back to game that gave me so much. Music saved me and made me. In 2014 I plan on selecting my favourite songs to re-record so that I can finally drop an album. My goal is not to be a rapper as over the years I have fallen in love with both producing and artist development. I love seeing coals turn to diamonds. Me releasing an album is simply a personal for me type of thing. 2014 is going to be a busy and exciting year. 

     Dynasty 83 Records, Music created to inspire. Stay close. One.

 N Raina

People Who Inspire Me...

    More than anything, the people who inspire me the most are the everyday people who live honest lives and do the little things daily to make the world a better place. My drive to be the best man I can be is fueled by my wife, parents, sisters and friends. I am motivated by people with ambition and who never give up. I am inspired by people who are completely selfless and constantly give all that they can for those in need. Volunteers are my true hero's. Whether they leave their home and careers to build schools in war torn countries or volunteer once a year at an annual food drive their only incentive is to help. I am inspired by creative minds and free thinkers. Below are just a few of the many many people that have inspired me. Stay close. 1.

                 

   

              

                                     

                    

   

                      

                    

N. Raina

"Next Level" Sinister ft. N

   
              It's been a minute since my last post so I am going to hit you up with something special. I am working on Dynasty 83 Records's newest artist Sinister aka Dope Boy Magic's debut album. Before we connected on the label we connected on Sinister's last mixtape. The joint is called Next Level. Check it out and stay close.

Happy Mother's Day! (dear mama - Tupac)

This is dedicated to all the wonderful Mother's in the world...

Nobody comes close to Jordan!

     Ok... Ok... Ok... Everyone seems to agree that Michael is the best player ever but there are two other arguments that need to get settled. One is that there is not a close second and number two is if some how we can take Lebron James, Jordan and Kobe and make them play against one another in there prime who would dominate. In all fairness Lebron hasn't peeked yet but based on what we know Jordan would come out on top. In terms of who is a close second, there simply isn't one. Remember... Jordan has 6 rings AND he took two years off to play baseball AND when he returned he played like he never left AND won 2 more rings. Players who are away from the game for 2 weeks wether its a suspension or injury come back and have a hard time picking up where they left off. Again, there is no close second.
    I remember as a kid the older guys would talk about the players who retired and I could never really appreciate it when I was young because I never watched them play. Now I understand how those guys felt when I was only praising the players who were current. Even though I respected the players from the previous generation because I knew what they had accomplished I could never fully appreciate them as much as someone who has watched their entire career. I feel like smacking the $hit out of these younger bums when they say stupid things like "Lebron would school Air Jordan if they could play one on one in their prime. It's the same with music. For example these younger guys are talking about J Cole and Lil Wayne having the best albums ever and I am thinking " yeah they are dope but... Have you heard Illmatic (NAS) or Jay Z's reasonable doubt?". Now I can finally appreciate and understand when an older dude comes up to me talking about Rakim or Big Daddy Kane being dope.
    With that being said there are certain people who I believe are timeless and there accomplishments transcend generation barriers. Michael Jackson, Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky and obviously Michael Air Jordan just to name a few. The clip below is a reminder as to why Jordan is praised the way he is. Stay close. One.

N Raina

How Nasty is this Freestlye?

 Jadakiss is one of the best rappers of all time, he is definitely in my top ten. I don't care if what he said was pre written or at the top of the dome. This is stupid nice. Check out the clip below. Stay close.

What Happened To DMX...

   At one point DMX was a Hip Hop Giant. He was making movies and selling millions of records so what happened to him? Did Jay Z pull a bitch move? Was it his drug addiction? Regardless of what it was the recent interview posted below convinced me that the game needs a blunt, straight forward real dude like him. No games, no marketing etc. Let me know what you guys think. Stay close.

N. Raina

Top 10 Hip Hop Beefs of all Time and their Winners

  I was having a heated argument with my boys on what the greatest hip hop battles of all time were and who the winners were. Obviously this is a matter of opinion but the conversation got so heated that we had to settle this conversation by googling it lol. We figured we check out what other people thought and go with the majority. We came across an article written by Henry Adaso on about.com that we all seemed to agree on. I personally think that number 1 and 2 should both be a tie for first but never the less I do agree with this article. Let me know what you think. Check it out and stay close. One.

N. Raina

10. Kool Moe Dee vs. Busy Bee

    It's impossible to discuss the greatest hip-hop battles without mentioning the historic showdown between Kool Moe Dee and Busy Bee. In 1981, back when every rhyme ended with "in the place to be," two MCs took the stage and, in an 8 Mile-style contest, pioneered what we now know as battle rap. Busy Bee entertained the audience with his crowd-pleasing raps, but Moe Dee made mince meat out of him with his ruthless, hardcore lyrics.
Winner: Kool Moe Dee



9. Eminem vs. 'The Source'

    This is probably the most absurd of all the battles on this list, considering that Eminem launched his rap career on the pages of The Source, which featured him in its 'Unsigned Hype' column in March 1998. The honeymoon came to a halt after Source co-founder Raymond "Benzino" Scott started hurling disses at Eminem on wax and via the magazine. While Slim Shady had no music rag to hurl back at Benzino, he had something Benzino lacked: rhyming skills. Shady struck back with a brigade of insults, including "Nail in the Coffin" and "The Sauce." As the beef progressed, The Source lost readership and alienated advertisers. Benzino's music career took a nosedive, while Eminem's rap career flourished.
Winner: Eminem

8. Eazy-E vs. Dr. Dre

    After a nasty breakup, ex-NWA partners Eazy-E and Dr. Dre traded insults non-stop. Just when it looked like Dre had sealed the deal with "Dre’s Day," Eazy-E fought back with "Real Muthaf--kin' Gs." Eazy attacked Dre and Snoop, dubbing them studio gangsters who had never really witnessed the harsh realities of the 'hood. As if that wasn't enough, he devoted plenty of airtime to Dre's past as a member of the electro-pop group World Class Wrecking Cru', ridiculing Dre's fruity outfit. “Damn it’s a trip how a n---a can go so quick from wearing lipstick to smoking on chronic at picnics," he rapped. Eazy threw in a pic of Dre dressed in pumps and mascara to boot. (Imagine if Eazy-E had Photoshop in 1992.)
Winner: Dr. Dre

7. Canibus vs LL Cool J

    Canibus is known for battling himself on wax, but he truly earned his stripes by squaring off against Uncle L in his prime. The odds were heavily stacked against Bis until he unleashed "Second Round KO," which featured Mike Tyson. This lyrical uppercut is something like a blueprint for some of today's illest rhyme pugilists.
Winner: Canibus





6. Common vs. Westside Connection

History teaches us that one surefire way to draw the ire of a fellow MC is to publicly indict them for hip-hop's demise. It worked for Soulja Boy and Ice T in 2009, just as it worked for Common and Westside Connection in 1995. The beef stemmed from Common's lyrics on "I Use to Love H.E.R.," which Ice Cube claimed was a subliminal diss to the west coast. Cue "Westside Slaughterhouse," a vicious attack on Common, replete with the grimiest rap video ever made. Common locked himself in a studio with Pete Rock and proceeded to hand Westside Connection a lyrical beatdown on "The B*tch in Yoo."
Winner: Common

5. Ice Cube vs. N.W.A.

    Eazy-E and NWA's management rubbed Ice Cube the wrong way and then had the nerve to dis the group's best lyricist on "100 Miles & Runnin'." Cube initiated a flame-throwing match with his former allies and came out unscathed. With "No Vaseline," Cube single-handedly annihilated an entire group. A rare feat which has never been replicated since then.
Winner: Ice Cube



4. Kool Moe Dee vs. LL Cool J

    Prior to his feud with LL Cool J, Kool Moe had dismantled a modest Busy Bee in a freestyle contest. This time, KMD's adversary was Bigger and Deffer. Kool Moe alleged that Cool J stole his style and decided to teach the 19-year old MC a lesson via the lyrical whiplash titled "How Ya Like Me Now." LL fired back with the instant classic "To Da Breakadawn." Kool Moe Dee wouldn't let LL have the final word, so he struck again with "Let's Go." LL hit him even harder with "Jack the Ripper," in which he ridiculed Moe Dee's trademark Star Trek shades. By the time Moe Dee returned with "Death Blow," Cool J had already hung the "L" on his neck and rocked his bells.
Winner: LL Cool J

3. Boogie Down Productions vs. Juice Crew

    As is often the case in hip-hop, this historic beef was mainly an offspring of bragging rights. It pitted one New York borough against another. KRS-One instigated the battle after claiming that MC Shan's song "The Juice" wrongly credited Queensbridge, instead of South Bronx, as hip-hop's birthplace. Consequently, BDP took Shan and co to the cleaners with the raw dis "South Bronx." Shan struck back with "Kill That Noise," thus setting up BDP for the classic "The Bridge is Over," which delivered the final blow to Shan's rap career.
Winner: Boogie Down Productions

2. 2Pac vs. Biggie

    The 2Pac vs Biggie feud was unique in so many ways. Interestingly, Pac's tactic was the antithesis of Big's approach. Not one to bite his tongue, Pac kept his insults as explicit and aggressive as possible. (Who could forget "Hit 'Em Up"'s opening lines "That's why I f---ked your wife, you fat muthaf---a"?) Biggie, on the other hand, stung Pac with subliminal disses, often delivered in a poised manner. This was arguably the most influential hip-hop feud ever. It affected entire regions, wrecked relationships, and changed lives forever.
Winner: 2Pac


1. Jay-Z vs. Nas

    Before the Def Jam deal. Before the Power 105 lovefest. Before the colossal collaborations, Nas and Jay-Z were die-hard rivals. There are many theories on why Jay-Z and Nas suddenly found themselves embroiled in one of the most memorable feuds in music history. Was Nas jealous of Jay’s commercial exploits? Did Jay dis Nas' baby mama on "Is That Your Chick”? The two New York giants traded insults for years and came short of challenging each other to a lyrical duel on HBO. The quest for supremacy gave rise to two of the greatest battle tracks in history: Jay-Z's "Takeover" and Nas' "Ether." Thanks to Kanye's hard-hitting drums, "Takeover" was musically superior to "Ether," but Nas was lyrically superior to Jay.
Winner: Nas

Who is Recoia?

   If you don't know by now I am telling you that I am stuck in that 90's hip hop and R&B vibe. The funny thing is if I could sing I would because I love my slow songs but I am probably the worst singer on the planet. Because I am an artist you would think that I listen to the radio all day or watch the latest music videos but the truth is I don't even have cable, I am way to busy for television. I've been turned off of a a lot  bullshit thats being put out there. Don't get it twisted there is a lot of good stuff out there but in my opinion things are getting real funny in the game.

   My homie told me about this guy who can sing and his name is Recoia. I was like " who doesn't sing or rap " but instead of brushing him off I decided to listen to this guy. The song I listened to was entitled "A Dozen Rozes". All I can say is don't be surprised if you see us do a track together real soon, the kid is dope. This Blog is simply one independent artist recognizing another. This is quality music and Recoia will be big if he keeps doing what he's doing. Below is a link to his track "A Dozen Rozes". Stay close. One.

N. Raina

NO EDUCATION

 I had video of me recording this track live in the studio so I mixed it with some random footage and here you have it. This is a banger. Stay close. One.

Download My Music...

   
     You can now download my music for free on SoundCloud. There is now a SoundCloud tab on the right side of the screen under Dynasty-83-Record Links that will take you to my music where you can, listen, download or comment on my the tracks that I have made available. I will continue to add free tracks before I drop the album so keep an eye out for that. Stay close. One.


DYNASTY 83 DOWNLOADS NOW AVAILABLE HERE

SMOKED OUT

      In order for you to understand What Dynasty 83 is about to do, you will need to understand what we have been doing. I have been running with a unit for a long time, since about 1998 or 1999. The squad is me, Micro and Sixx (6IXX) and we were known as the "Smoked Out Crew". Anyways for whatever reason life happens and music kept getting pushed aside. We are ready to make our move now but before we can release anything fresh I feel like I need to let go of a few sessions that were collecting dust in my studio, sessions that I feel should be heard.
      "Smoked Out" came to life when we were all messing around in the studio. I produced a beat, turned on the mic, pressed record and the rest was history. My first verse was written and the second was off the top of the dome. Micro got hype and just started talking over the beat so I took a portion of what he said and used it for the hook. 6IXX spit something short for the last verse because our ride was outside and we had to dip out. Aside from arranging the track and very minor edits this track is raw and labeled unfinished. You may be wondering why I would release this track unfinished.... well... because the track was recorded over 6 years ago and that vibe, that session was true for that moment in time. It was real and raw when we recorded it. For me to get 6IXX to add to his verse or to change the hook would kill the life in this track for us. Music is an art and sometimes leaving a piece unfinished is ironically the best way to finish the piece. Stay close. One.

N. Raina

Best Hip Hop Track of All Time.....

     First and foremost the title of this blog is a little misleading because I don't believe that there is one track that can trump them all in hip hop so I based my choice on one question. As a producer, writer, artist I have learned to appreciate every step that goes into making a song as opposed to just the final product so I asked myself one question... Of all the great tracks out there from Tupac, Nas, Jay Z, Big Pun, B.I.G., Big L just to name a few artists, of all the studio sessions in the past which one would I want to witness if I could turn back the hands of time and be a fly on the wall. Well.... One and only one track came to my mind. Over five minutes of a dope beat with all the Wu members spitting lyrics that make listeners cringe and screwface because each verse is just too nasty to comprehend and no chorus.... NO CHORUS, yet everyone in the club could rap the entire song. I am sorry but I don't think anyone could ever do that again. A toast to Wu Tang. TRIUMPH baby! Stay close.

N. Raina

OfF tHe ChAiN mEdAlLiOn...

Should Music be all about Marketing Strategies and pleasing a crowd?......... Should an artist change what made them love the game to stay in the game even if it's not them? Why cater to the crowd and kill creativity and your love for music when you can just do you and keep it real. Don't be a Robot! With that being said...... here is a track put together in about an hour including making the beat in my studio alone before I even ate breakfast. It's simple, it's raw and I don't care if you like it (lol). Stay close......

Designing a Champion...

      When it comes to music the overwhelming majority will determine one's success based on record sales, money, influence etc. Artists themselves indulge in their passion to the point where they need to make money off of their art in order to pay their bills because they don't have time to work a 9 to 5. What usually happens is artists will start to compromise the type of music they create to make their songs more radio and club friendly etc. to earn a living. Fair enough... I respect everyone's hustle and grind so in a sense "it is what it is".
      I am encouraging you for a moment to imagine what music would be like if there was no money involved. What kind of songs do you think you would hear? I am sure we would still hear club bangers because there are REAL artists who REALLY enjoy making music that gets people hype and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I like listening to bangers and I like making them too. What I am trying to say is there would be a lot less artists straying away from there true identity for the sake of making money. I have busted my ass off to put myself in a position where I don't need music to make money. House, Cars, blah blah blah... I got that, I'm set. I have no desire for materialistic shit, yeah sure it's cool if I have it but at the same time I can live without it.
       So how does this have anything to do with designing a champion?... Well... I don't need anyone to buy my music in order for me to live. Music is my meditation, it is my journal, my therapy, my love so since I don't need money from music to live I am able to keep my music pure and real. No matter what I do in this music game or where I end up on any charts I have already won because I was able to close my eyes and let go of my art the way I wanted to. I was able to create a way where I can never lose. Becoming a champion is a result of a mentality as opposed to the result of an action. One.

2003 FREESTYLE

This is a 2003 freestyle I threw on a recent beat I put together...



(warning explicit lyrics)

WHY "N" ?

        A lot of people have been asking me why I go by "N".... Well, when I started rapping I used to freestyle while my boy nicknamed "V" used to beatbox. I never liked rappers who made up corny names like "killa flo" or "2nice" or blah blah blah so I never gave myself a name... By the way, I made up those names so I apologize to anyone who may be using those names for real. Anyways, like I was saying my boy that beatboxed went by "V" so people started to call me "N" which is the first letter of my name and I guess it stuck with me. It's simple and it's real. So if you didn't know now you know.

" WE FLY " BY: N

Tell It Like It Is!

Canadian......... American........ Ummmmm I think this guy speaks for us all. I try to keep this blog as music related as possible but here and there I will make an exception. Here is one of those exceptions...

"Just Believe"

This track is off my " Off The Chain Medallion " project. Take it in and stay close.

The King Who Earned His Crown

N. Raina

      It seems like yesterday we lost arguably the most influential person in music. If you have been keeping up with my blog and following me on Twitter, you probably have realized that I am extremely passionate about doing things my way and allowing my life experiences to sculpt my uniqueness as opposed to shadowing someone else’s greatness. I was just sitting in my office going over  a few things and BAM! “Thriller” comes on the radio and I start bopping my head and I completely zoned out to the song. Come on people…. Who can write a song like that and get away with it? Nobody, only the King himself could do it. I started to just think damn….” This guy wrote his songs and on top of that, did his own dance routines Michael didn’t have people telling him what to do and if you saw the  “This Is It” documentary which was video footage of him preparing for his last tour, it clearly shows how involved and creative he was. So many people started doing the entire ‘singing and dancing thing’ but we all know Michael Jackson started it. I still don’t know if he was a better singer or Dancer… The fact of the matter is he was perfect at both. This article is more like a toast from me to Michael in appreciation of all that he has done and for doing it his way. In the video below was the first time Michael moonwalked, This was the night He went from great to legendary in my opinion. Enjoy and remember the King.

Dynasty Dub --- Recorded in Dynasty 83 studios Toronto

Reggae recording artist perter Rankin records a dub plate for the "Off The Chain Medallion" project. Peter Rankin did not write any lyrics down and he did this in one take. Enjoy this exclusive footage.

Mission Statement.

Mission Statement for Dynasty 83 Records......

Enter this divine palace of righteous thoughts through soulful speech

In this great land of opportunity words have the ability to place ordinary people amongst 

The 

Legends before us

This utopia is blind to imaging and materialistic desire for it only seeks truth

Play the right notes and make them listen

Intrigue them with the words and move them the rhythm

Words are god

Words are powerful

Dynasty 83 Records... Music Created To Inspire

N. Raina

   Creativity and uniqueness stems throughout all levels of Dynasty 83 Records and no exception was made when it came to the company's mission statement. It's not about trying to be different. It's about being you...

The Dark Side Project

6IXX

   Dynasty 83 Records is currently working on 3 projects. One of the projects is N's debut album and the second project is N's mixtape entitled "Off The Chain Medallion". The 3rd Project will be Sixx's (6ixx) "Darkside Project" which is on the blueprint table right now. 6ixx and N started off in a group called S.O.C. (smoked out crew) back in 1999 along with Jerome AKA Micro. Stay close people. Be a witness.

Making It Happen

 I was sick of paying for studio time and having to wait to record something if the studio wasn't available. So I did what I had to to do. I got a diploma in Audio engineering and built my own Studio. I didn't waste money going to clubs and buying bottles all the time, I bought equipment. I am stubborn and I hate people telling me what to do so I created my own label so I could say what I want when I want and do everything my way.

DOING IT MY WAY

The Art of Creating Music

       As far as I can remember I have always had a deep love and passion for music. I may be a hip hop/ R&B producer/artist/writer, but I have always appreciated and valued all genres of music. I have always said “If it sounds good than it sounds good” and personally don’t feel like music should be segregated  nor should one limit themselves to a particular genre for whatever reason.

       While taking part in the production/creation side of music I have encountered several individuals who have certain methods and rules when it comes to creating there music and they criticize  any other way. These people are insecure bullies who like to talk ‘techy’ and call out serial numbers on gadgets because they probably are lacking in some other department or they are impressed as hell as to what you are doing and how you can do what they do, without all the money and equipment. Lucky for me I have met just as many big time producers and accredited artists who were  real enough to say that there is no right way or wrong way when it comes to creating music, as long as it is fueled by passion. The truth is everyone has there own way and all the great artists and composers have there own unique steps in regards to there creative process. Greatness in anything starts with believing in your self and acknowledging  your strengths.

       The intent of this article is to encourage those who have been side tracked or slowed down because of intimidation. If you met someone who made you feel like you need to have a million dollars to make a dream come true or that you can’t do something without  ‘blah blah blah’, then this is the wake up call you need. Yes, money and equipment help can make life easier but creativity costs a lot less and the sky is the limit when you are fully engaged. Recording artists have been recording in closets, rooms full of mattresses, dirty garages etc to give the same sound you can achieve in a million dollar studio. I am not taking anything away from those amazing studios’ and talented engineers because they are great and can make life easier, but once again if you are creative you can bypass all that  $h!t for lack of a better word. If you are laying down rap vocals on a Wave  File from a beat  you made electronically on a computer, you have absolutely no business being in a state of the art studio where they record symphonies and choirs unless you have a good connection or a bottomless pit of money. It’s not that you don’t belong there its simply that you just don’t need it!

       I have seen so many people, including myself, waste years in trying to save up for the next piece of equipment or save money to shoot a video … all while precious time is just being wasted. You should never rush anything but at the same time you should never deprive the world if your music is ready. Do not get me twisted, you should approach every situation with an open mind and one should be able to handle criticism especially in the music industry, however  you should not give anyone the power to plant the seed of doubt in your head. Keep it real with your music and be creative. Because real people relate to real things. Don’t cater to the crowd. Do you and let the crowd catch on. If you want the money and fame and you are willing to sell out and become a cookie cutter artist these words are not for you.

       This is for those who have written  songs in there darkest moments where  there ability to write lyrics or create music has pulled them through tough times. I personally don’t care for money or fame, my dream is to give back to music which has given me so much, even if it is just one album and the only buyers are family and friends. In conclusion when it comes to the art of making music we all need to remember it is indeed an art and there is no right or wrong way to do anything. Can you imagine someone telling Leonardo da Vinci how to paint the Mona Lisa?…. I didn’t think so. I would be a hypocrite to tell you that my article is %100 right because it goes against everything I have written. This is just my opinion based on my experiences. I am simply encouraging you to do you, and be confident with your personal approach and style. You have all the power you believe you have. One.